“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to making our highways safer, and we plan to do that by bolstering our forces to reduce the number and severity of crashes,” said Colonel Gene Spaulding, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “Troopers will take appropriate enforcement action on those drivers who put themselves and others in danger. We want everyone to have a safe traveling experience, and I encourage motorists to do their part by complying with all traffic laws, including making sure everyone in their vehicle is buckled up and drivers are not driving distracted or impaired.”

This effort is in conjunction with Florida’s Arrive Alive campaign, which applies highly visible traffic enforcement within data-driven “hot spots”. The Florida Highway Patrol, Georgia State Patrol, South Carolina Highway Patrol, Alabama State Patrol, and Tennessee Highway Patrol will also be working with local law enforcement partners to enhance education, visibility, and enforcement to help ensure the southeastern United States has the safest roadways possible. Troopers will be especially vigilant regarding seatbelt usage, speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving violations.

Traffic safety should be a top priority for everyone traveling on Florida’s roadways. Motorists are reminded to:

Obey all speed limits

Every time you get in a vehicle, buckle up! Wearing your seatbelt reduces your risk of being injured or killed in a crash by almost 50 percent.

Do not text and drive. Texting is one of the most dangerous distractions because it requires manual, visual and cognitive ability- the same abilities that are needed to drive safely.

A traumatic car accident can disrupt your life completely – the pain, the stress, the medical bills, and not knowing what could happen to you and your family is enough to drive you crazy. This heavy burden you are hauling is not one you need to bear alone – our Pasco County Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help. We can take some of that weight off your shoulders so that you can focus on what is important: your recovery.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at the I-75 apex with Interstate 275 just before 5 a.m.

Troopers believe the 43-year-old driver of the truck was killed when the truck went off the highway from the center lane of southbound I-75. The truck hit a guardrail, ejecting the St. Petersburg man from the vehicle.

The passenger in the truck, a 21-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

The southbound and northbound lanes of the highway were closed until about 7 a.m.

The crash remains under investigation.

Trucks with overloaded cargo, or cargo that is not loaded according to regulations, can cause a serious semi-truck accident. In these cases, the cargo could add even more weight to an already over-sized truck that it causes top-heaviness, increasing the risk of overturning around turn and curves. Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo can shift while in motion causing objects on the truck to fall off, drop into the roadway, or even fall onto another vehicle.

The crash occurred at 9:42 p.m. Saturday on U.S. 301 near the intersection with Palm Grove Drive in Zephyrhills.

Troopers believe the 55-year-old homeless woman was walking south on the grass shoulder of U.S. 301 when she tried to cross the road and walked into the path of a pick-up truck that was turning right.

After the crash, the truck fled the scene, according to troopers.

The woman was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

Witnesses described the truck that hit the woman as a white Ford F-150 or F-250 with four doors.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at 813-631-4020.

When there is an accident, there is a legal obligation that all drivers involved remain at the scene of the accident. If a driver fails to follow the law, they could be facing serious penalties.

A driver who flees the scene could face criminal charges in addition to being the subject of a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit as well. Whether the hit-and-run accident was caused by reckless driving, driving under the influence, tired driving, or outright negligence, as the victim, you could be entitled to financial compensation. Our Pasco County Auto Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can filter through the different aspects of your accident and work to build you a strong case. By proving who was at fault in the accident, you could receive monetary compensation for your injuries and any property damage that was caused. We will also work with your insurance companies involved so that your rights are protected during this process.

If you lost a loved one in a hit and run accident, we can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit. Even though it will not bring your loved one back, it could prevent the same thing from happening to another family and help you cover any expenses.

The crash occurred at 9 a.m. on Chancey Road near the intersection with Copeland Drive.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, both the tractor trailer and the bicyclist were heading south on Copeland Drive approaching Chancey Road when they both turned right at the intersection.

The left side of the tractor trailer smashed into the 72-year-old bicyclist, who died from his injuries at the scene of the crash.

People riding bicycles are a regular occurrence on Florida roads these days. They are cheap and effective modes of transportation and are useful for people of all ages who have to get from place to place without the aid of a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, bicycles do not provide much in the way of protection when accidents occur.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a tractor trailer or other commercial vehicle in Zephyrhills or the surrounding areas, a Pasco County Truck Accident Lawyer at Whittel & Melton can help. To discuss the specifics of your case and any steps to move forward with a legal claim to obtain financial compensation during this difficult time, call us today as soon as possible at 727-847-2299 or fill out our confidential online case evaluation form for a free consultation today.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the blowout happened at 5:53 a.m. and set off a five-vehicle crash on I-75 near State Road 52 in the San Antonio area.

Troopers believe the dump truck was traveling southbound in the outside lane when the front left tire blew, causing the driver to lose control of the truck.

The dump truck rotated, and smashed into the rear of a van which was in the inside lane.

Troopers said the dump truck then overturned and went through a guardrail. A second dump truck that was in the outside lane collided with the first one as it overturned.

An Isuzu pick up truck in the inside lane swerved to avoid the trucks and crashed into a semi-truck. The driver of the Isuzu suffered serious injuries.

The driver of the overturned dump truck died at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation, according to reports.

One common cause of tire blowouts is low air pressure in tires. Every driver is responsible for monitoring the tire pressure on their tires in order to avoid these types of accidents. Most newer cars have automatic warning lights to notify the driver when the tire pressure dips below a safe level. However, if for some reason this warning light fails on an automobile, the vehicle manufacturer may be liable for the damage and injuries caused by the tire blowout.

Defective tires are another reason that tire blowouts occur. If a manufacturer sells defective tires, this places the driver and anyone else sharing the roadway at risk. An incorrect installation could even create conditions for a dangerous tire blowout and accident.

According to the National Safety Council, there are a few steps that a driver can take to ensure their safety after experiencing a tire blowout on a busy road or highway.

Instead of slamming on the brakes, try to slowly take your foot off the gas pedal.

Coast to the shoulder or other area away from traffic.

Stay calm.

Turn on your emergency flashers.

When waiting for help, stand as far away from your vehicle as possible.

According to authorities, the Zephyrhills man was driving a Suzuki GSXR south on Fort King Road, behind the truck and 24-foot trailer, around 8 p.m.

When the pickup slowed to turn left onto Phelps Road, the motorcyclist tried to pass the truck and trailer and collided with them, troopers said.

The biker was ejected from the bike and died at the scene.

The driver of the truck, a 19-year-old Dade City woman, and a 16-year-old passenger from Lecanto were uninjured.

No charges have been filed.

Motorcycle accidents result in a higher rate of severe injuries and deaths than collisions that involve only passenger vehicles. Sadly, motorcyclists are significantly more likely to be killed in a traffic collision than passenger-vehicle occupants, even if the motorcyclist is wearing a helmet.

While bikers face much greater physical risks compared to other motorists, it is important to note that they have the same general entitlements as other drivers, including the right to pursue legal action after being hurt in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence.

The 45-year-old Zephyrhills man was traveling north on U.S. 301 around 8:50 p.m. when a southbound Ford F-150 crossed into his path attempting to turn onto State Road 39. The vehicles collided, and the man was ejected, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The man was taken to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, where he later died.

The driver of the pickup, a 44-year-old Zephyrhills woman, and her two passengers were not injured.

The FHP said charges are pending.

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 4,500 motorcycle drivers are killed each year in traffic accidents and more than 85,000 are injured. That equates to roughly 56 deaths for every 100,000 motorcycles on the road, compared to nine deaths for every car on America’s highways.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a motorcycle vs. truck accident, you need an attorney on your side who can uncover the truth and fight for your rights and those of your family. At Whittel & Melton, our Pasco County Motorcycle Accident Lawyers are familiar with these types of cases and how they must be handled. We will launch an investigation immediately so that you will know exactly what happened before, during and after the motorcycle accident. We will act fast to protect your best interests.

Thanksgiving is a holiday devoted to spending time with those you love. With that said, it is one of the busiest travel days of the year. While millions of people are on the roads headed to visit with family members and loved ones, just as many are at home, preparing for those coming their way for visits. This Thanksgiving weekend you can help to avoid holiday accidents and injuries at home and on the road by following some simple safety tips.

Be Safe In The Kitchen

Preparing a holiday feast is a tradition in most homes throughout the country. However, all that cooking in the kitchen over Thanksgiving ends up resulting in an increased risk for fires. The kitchen is the most common place for a fire to originate in the home. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, the following Thanksgiving fire safety tips can decrease the likelihood of a fire in your home:

Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking

Never leave foods cooking on the stove or in the oven unattended

Make sure children stay at least three feet away from the stove to prevent burns

Keep matches out of reach of children

Keep potholders and oven mitts away from burners as these can catch fire quite easily

Do not leave candles or fireplaces burning unattended

Be sure all kitchen appliances are turned off before leaving the room

Make sure working smoke alarms are installed on every floor and in all sleeping rooms in your house

Many people prefer the taste of fried turkey compared to oven roasted, but the NFPA discourages the use of home turkey fryers. These fryers can lead to tragic burns and can end up destroying your property. If fried turkey is a must for you, get one from a local restaurant or caterer.

If you pick up a copy of the Florida Drivers Handbook, you’ll read this as it pertains to pedestrian safety and crosswalks:

“The driver of a vehicle at an intersection that has a traffic control signal in place shall stop before entering the crosswalk and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian, with a permitted signal, to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.”

However, many residents claim that traffic does not always stop for pedestrians using the crosswalk .

“Pedestrians have the right-of-way in a crosswalk unless directed by signals not to cross,” he said.

Drivers who do not yield right-of-way face the possibility of a $62.50 fine.

When someone is injured or worse, killed, in a Pasco County crosswalk accident, those who have been harmed may have legal options that include the filing of a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit with the help of our Citrus County Auto Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton. In order to file such a legal suit, there are many factors that rely on the specifics of the accident. These specifics will determine who the at-fault party is and what, if any, legal recourse is available.

Crosswalks in the state of Florida are governed by basic traffic laws. Pedestrians are allowed to cross the streets inside these crosswalks and when a traffic signal allows them with the opportunity to cross. At intersections where there is no electronic traffic signal, pedestrians should look both ways for oncoming traffic and only cross inside the crosswalk when it is safe to do so. Once a pedestrian has reasonably entered a crosswalk, they then have the right-of-way and other travelers are expected to yield.

Even though the fear and pain can be similar in truck accidents and car accidents, there are several key differences between these two types of auto accidents.

It is important to know about the following differences if you have been involved in an truck accident, as these may have an important impact on your truck accident recovery. The following three things are important to note:

Truck accident cases can have different defendants. Unlike car accidents where the defendant is usually the other driver, in truck accidents, the defendant could be the other driver, the trucking company, contractors who are responsible for vehicle maintenance or loading, as well as other parties who are potentially at fault.

Truck Accident Cases Rely on Different Evidence. Just like a car accident, the evidence at the scene of the crash is very important to your recovery. However, in a truck accident case, other types of evidence are equally as important. This can include records of the number of hours the trucker was driving, the rules and regulations of the trucking company, information about the hiring process of the truck driver, as well as other information.

Different laws may be involved in truck accident cases. The federal government has specific rules, like the hours of service rules, that apply to truck drivers, but not to individual car drivers. Figuring out if the truck driver and trucking company complied with these rules can be a critical factor in your recovery.

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.